Atlanta ICE Office Evacuated Due To Suspicious Substance

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta fire officials say they had to evacuate a federal immigration office at West Peachtree Street after a suspicious substance was found Sunday.

Atlanta Fire Rescue said crews found an envelope that contained "an unknown black powder-like material" on the 25th floor, which holds the office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Fire officials said the envelope was located inside the ICE office.

They temporarily evacuated the floor for safety concerns and began assessing the potentially hazardous material.

Fire officials said the substance was screened using technology that could identify chemical agents, toxic industrial compounds, narcotics and explosive precursors. Other measures were also taken.

Ultimately, they said no hazardous chemical, narcotic or radiological agents were detected. However, one person had to be evaluated at the scene out of precaution.

"This operational capability reflects Atlanta’s preparedness and response confidence as the city continues strengthening public safety systems ahead of major global events, including the upcoming FIFA World Cup," fire officials said in a news release.

In February 2024, Atlanta United FC announced Atlanta will host eight matches, including a semifinal, for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held on July 15 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This all comes amid tensions surrounding ICE and protests to abolish the federal agency, which reportedly opened a second field office in January in College Park.

Students all over metro Atlanta planned walkouts this month protesting ICE.

U.S. Sens. Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff have previously expressed frustration over ICE, vying to block a bill that would further fund the agency.

Congress failed to pass the budget, which included $10 billion for ICE, sending the national government into a partial shutdown and impacting some federal employees in Georgia.